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Waha Nui – 4/29/15

Dedicated, inspiring and nationally certified, Sunset Beach Elementary kindergarten teacher Sheri Burke de Mendonca (“Mrs. Burke”) had just reached the finals of a national online “Teach for the Planet” contest to fund a class environmental project when she died unexpectedly of a heart attack April 19, leaving behind her husband Buzzy, their four daughters, age 19 years to 7 months, and an entire school community. “Sheri was the most amazing teacher to hundreds of children on the North Shore,” reads one online tribute. “She never stopped giving and exploring new avenues to help her students succeed.” Now Sheri’s ohana has begun a new online drive to help the grieving family at http://www.gofundme.com/sfn37yc …

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Accompanying Queen Pomai Akiona (Danielle Pomaika‘i ‘O Keikilani Akiona) to all of the city’s 2015 Lei Day festivities Friday at Kapiolani Park and Bandstand will be First Princess Paige Miki Kalaokananiki‘eki‘e Okamura of Haleiwa, a recent UH graduate with a Hawaiian language degree. Contestants were judged on lei making, hula, language skills and poise, and the ability to convey the spirit of aloha with warmth and dignity. Royal Hawaiian Band starts the celebration at 9 a.m., and Paige and her royal court colleagues will be “invested” at 11 a.m. …

Hanalani Schools’ annual Founders Day March 31 honored the late Wallace Sugimoto, who established the original King’s School in 1952 in Wahiawa, prior to expansion and the move to Mililani. Wallace’s son Mark, now Hanalani head of school, recalled at the gathering that the energetic leader was often seen washing buses and performing other menial tasks on campus. “He just seemed to be happier in work clothes than he did in a business suit” … Gladys Okamura reopens Kitchen Delight, her three-decade-old okazuya and plate lunch establishment May 1 at a new location, 25 Mango St. in Wahiawa (former Shigenoya Okazuya site). Rene Mansho recalls her “shock and awe” breakfast special for $1.75 at the old California Avenue place. Get ready for special okazu treats and bentos from Grace and crew (622-3463) & & & cchang@midweek.com